PICTURE OF THE MONTH - December

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This idea of a garage does not last long. The roof is sagging severely because it lacks cross members that support snow load. Similar sagging is visible on many older roofs stemming from this problem or from the design. In older homes we did not consider the duration of the load. In other words if the snow is resting on a roof we need to consider the length of time it will remain on it. Wood will hold a much heavier load for a shorter period of time than it will for a longer duration. This design flaw is also visible in older homes where the floors and beams often sag and slope.

 

PICTURE OF THE MONTH - November

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture requires some explanation. A gentleman decided to turn his awning roof into a walkout patio, above his front entrance. He put plastic on the flat roof and then proceeded to install ceramic tile on top. There were no flashings, no proper connections to drains and no slope. As you might imagine it was leaking quite profusely. Always retain a qualified professional when considering renovations!!

 

PICTURE OF THE MONTH - October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plumbing drain has no vent meaning it is possible that the trap will lose its water by siphoning. The water in the trap prevents odors from the sewer escaping to the house. The vent in this situation should be installed between the two upper elbows and this vent normally leads to the main house stack proceeding through the roof. It is now possible to install a small anti-siphon vent (often called a cheater vent) which would make the job simpler as it does not have to go the exterior of the house.

 

PICTURE OF THE MONTH - September

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a picture of a downspout that is coming from an upper roof and discharging onto a lower roof. This will cause premature failure of the lower asphalt roof and in this case may cause leakage because of the complex flashing detail at this point. You may notice that the flashing details could be better arranged to provide better water shedding, however the most concerning item here is the downspout which will add a lot of water to this lackluster flashing detailed area.

 

PICTURE OF THE MONTH - August 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tub enclosure badly in need of repair. This is the end result of the way that the shower was maintained and or built. We commonly find (with moisture meter which sense behind walls), moisture behind ceramic tile walls that has found its way there with time through gaps and cracks in the grout joints. The other method of deterioration occurs through moisture transfer through the grout and this moisture is able to damage the material behind if it is not moisture proof and then this damage will promote the grout falling off and cracking. For this reason a tile enclosure is best when built with moisture barriers and concrete board which is made by several manufactorers. This being said many tile tub eclosures will last many years longer if proper maintenance of caulking and regrouting are properly and timely instituted.

PICTURE OF THE MONTH - July

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is evidently missing shingles which will allow moisture into the roof and attic of this home. We feel that an inspection of the roof to be thourough needs to be inspected from as close as possible. This means wherever possible we are getting on the roof and inspecting the roof from above. There are cases where it is too steep to climb safetly however on these roofs it is easier to see what is going on from below (on the ground). Often shingles placed during the colder winter, fall and spring months will not seal to the underlying layers because this process requires a few hot days. If this doesn't happen then it is possible to get shingles blowing off of the roof prior to the first few warm days where they seal themselves together. On some newer installations we have found up to 20 shingles have blown off as aresult of this issue.

 

 

PICTURE OF THE MONTH - April

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This image is of an attic where the bathroom vent has been routed into the chimney. This adds moisture to the chimney and will eventually cause it to decay severely.

 

PICTURE OF THE MONTH - March

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The concrete in this panel was not visible until the cover was opened. This is one of those times you are glad you have a camera! We think the reason for the concrete was a result of the contractor who encapsulated the service entrance conductor and conduit made too runny of a slurry and consequently filled the electrical panel.